IBEW says LaCorte pocketed money owed to union

IBEW Local 236 is claiming in a lawsuit filed earlier this month in U.S. District Court in Albany that LaCorte Cos. of Troy failed to pay roughly $875,000 due to the union for health and pension benefits, dues and training and administrative funds.

Instead, the construction firm, which has worked on the area’s most important buildings, used the money to pay creditors and non-union employees, incluing owner Eileen LaCorte.

Under an agreement with IBEW, the company is supposed to set aside a certain amount of hourly wages for pension and health benefits as well as other union-related costs.

Eileen LaCorte could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday. Neither could William Pozefsky, the attorney representing IBEW 236.